pinkey74 wrote:

 

I have signed up for another 5k in 3 weeks, but am trying to decide if I should continue to train for 5ks and work on getting faster (yesterday i finished just under 32 minutes) or if I should train for a 10k. I have been running every other day or so, about 3 miles for the last month or so.  Advice or ideas?  This is all so new to me that I am not sure what direction to take.

Let me ask you this: as soon as you crossed the finish line of your race, was your first thought, "I want to do it again faster" or "I want to a longer race next time!"?   I think your gut reaction will tell you whether you will enjoy honing your speed in 5Ks or reaching for the next distance.  But keep in mind that one doesn't exclude the other.  You can train for a 10K and also do some basic speed work which will improve your 5K.   You did a pretty decent time for a first 5K and your speed will gradually increase to a certain point just by running regularly.   Then you will reach the point where you really have to push for speed if you are so inclined but that is further down the road (pun intended!)

Even if you are mostly interested in fast 5Ks, you will benefit from longer runs to build strength and endurance and chances are once you start running 5-6 miles regularly you won't be able to resist the draw of the 10K.  So my advice would be to concentrate on slowly building up your distance and let speed take care of itself - for now.  I think once you get more experience you will see which direction you want to take and how to get there.

Congrats on your race, BTW!